Fan-wheel.



Pa. nted Mar. 31,1914.

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CUTLER THOMAS PORTER, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

FAN-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

Application filed June 10, 1912. Serial No. 702,843.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CUTLER TH'OMAS PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fan- Vheels, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to wheels of that character which may be used for propelling purposes or for inducing the flow of fluid in currents, by the inclusion of a plurality of vanes.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a wheel of this character which is simple in construction and efficient inaction.

Further objects of my invention are to confine the fluid acted upon to a predetermined path adjacent the vanes, and to lighten the construction of the wheel, as a whole, consistent with the efficiency desired therefrom relative to the size of the wheel.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wheel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a central, vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view. I

The device as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is provided, with the cone-like vanes 19, which are formed with a concave cone shaped working face. The vanes and guard may be formed integral, and the lower margin or one generatrix margin 20 of the vanes 19 is secured to a band 21, while the inner or other generatrix margin 22 is tangent to the cylindrical drum 2, as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. Both margins 20 and 21 lie in substantially the same plane forming one opening of the cone-like vane 19, and all of the openings bounded by these margins, 20 and 22 are in substantially the same plane transversely of the axis of the cylindrical drum 2. The directrix margin 23 of each vane, together with. the margin 22 of the .advance vane form the other opening of the cone-like vanes, and has its plane at substantially a right angle to the plane of the other opening. The vertex 24E of the vanes lies substantially adjacent the band 21.

The several vanes 19 are braced by means of ties 25. These ties join the margins 22 and the band 21 of each vane exteriorly of the vertex of the vane. Tie members 26 are also provided joining the margins 22 and the periphery of the cylindrical drum 2, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing, and they provide -a very rigid structure.

lVhen the wheel is rotated in the direction indicated in Fig. 1, the direct-rix margins 23 cut the fluid and force it under the working faces of the vanes, such fluid being confined to a predetermined path thereunder by the cone shape of the vane.

While I have shown the shaft 1 and drum 2 connected by disk-like members 3, it is to be understood that any suitable means, such as spokes, may be substituted therefor, without departing from the spirit of my invention. The drum 2 affords an enlarged standard for mounting the vanes and hence the latter may be more efficiently secured in place than it would be if secured directly to the relatively small shaft 1.

The entire device is light in construction, but the parts are disposed so as to cooperate to resist forces tending to render the de vice inoperative for the purpose for which it is designed. The device may be used for propelling or lifting of air craft; for propelling boats, or for inducing the flow of fluid in currents.

I claim 1. A fan wheel comprising in combination, a rotatable standard, a plurality of concave cone-like vanes carried by said standard, a band for the outer generatrix margins of said vanes, braces connecting the outer generatriX margins of said vanes and said band, and braces connecting the last mentioned generatrix margins with said standard, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A fan wheel comprising in combination, a rotatable hub, an outer band or ring surrounding said hub and spaced therefrom,

a plurality of cone-like vanes mounted intermediate said hub and said ring and having their outlet ends substantially in the plane of said ring, and braces connecting the in ner edges of said vanes with said hub, said braces lying substantially in the plane of said ring.

3. A fan Wheel comprising in combination, a central rotatable hub, a plurality of cone-like vanes carried by said hub, a ring surrounding said vanes and lying in a plane 10 substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation and to which said vanes are connected, and braces lying substantially in the same plane as said ring and connecting the outlet edge of said vanes With said ring.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CUTLER THOMAS PORTER. Witnesses HAROLD SOANTLEBURY, H. W. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

